Rugby league superstar Sam Burgess has been hailed a hero after saving the life of man who was choking to death.

The England prop was with his team mates at the Sydney Fish Market competing in an eating challenge when a staff member from Decosti Seafood joined in and began to choke.

Burgess, who plays for Russell Crowe’s team the South Sydney Rabbitohs, immediately noticed the man was beginning to choke leaping to his feet to help dislodge the food blocking his windpipe.

"The Souths boys were at work doing a fish-eating challenge and then one of the managers got involved," a witness said.

"They were eating and some seafood got caught in his throat and he started choking.

Return: Burgess has recently returned to rugby league following his union exploits (Image: Getty)

“Sam raced straight over and grabbed him and started putting his body weight on him to try and get it out.

"He was helping him for about 30 to 40 seconds and instead of spitting it out he ended up swallowing it, but if Sam hadn’t have helped it could have been bad.

"I'm telling you Sam is a hero.”

The witness said a number of players had gone to assist the man but it was Burgess, 27, who saved his life.

"He saved his life. Another 30 seconds and it could have gone either way,” added the witness.

"All the guys were amazing. Taking photos with people. Michael Maguire was great and I’m a Manly fan but it’s important people know what a great thing Sam did.”

Afterwards the Sydney Fish Market tweeted: “All we can say is that @SamBurgess8 is a true #hero. And we are not talking about on the footy field. #lifesaver #thankyou.”

Tying the knot: Burgess was married over Christmas (Image: Paul Suesse)

Burgess, who at Christmas married his partner Phoebe Hooke, played down his heroics on Friday.

He replied: “Glad I could help. I hope everyone is ok. Thanks for having us today.”

The hulking Dewsbury-born player returned to rugby league following England’s disastrous rugby union world cup performance.He was made a scapegoat by many critics and chose to return to the13-man code he loved re-signing for the Rabbitohs.